NATO Chief Rutte’s European Defense Remarks Spark French Pushback

BRUSSELS (Azat TV) – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has sparked a fresh diplomatic debate over European strategic autonomy, asserting that Europe remains incapable of defending itself without the military backing of the United States. His remarks, delivered on Monday at the European Parliament in Brussels, drew immediate and sharp criticism from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, reigniting long-standing tensions over the continent’s defense capabilities.

Addressing the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and Committee on Security and Defense, Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, stated unequivocally, ‘If anyone thinks here, again, that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the US, keep on dreaming. You can’t. We can’t. We need each other.’ He further emphasized the critical role of the U.S. nuclear umbrella, warning that without it, Europe ‘would lose the ultimate guarantor of our freedom.’

France Rejects Rutte’s Stance

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot swiftly pushed back against Rutte’s assessment, directly challenging the NATO chief’s position. Writing on social media platform X late Monday, Barrot declared, ‘No, dear Mark Rutte. Europeans can and must take charge of their own security. Even the United States agrees. It is the European pillar of NATO.’ Barrot’s statement underscored France’s consistent advocacy for greater European defense independence and its belief in the continent’s capacity to build a robust security framework.

Rutte also expressed skepticism about the concept of a standalone European Defense Force, a notion recently revived by EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius. He warned that such an initiative would lead to ‘a lot of duplication’ and make defense efforts ‘more complicated,’ requiring significant additional resources and personnel. Barrot, however, dismissed the idea of a ‘European pillar’ of NATO as ‘a bit of an empty word’ if it doesn’t entail concrete steps towards self-reliance.

The ‘Trump Whisperer’ and US Influence

Rutte’s comments arrive amidst a backdrop of renewed pressure from the United States, particularly from former President Donald Trump, who has consistently called on European allies to shoulder a greater share of their defense burden. Rutte has become known in some circles as ‘the Trump whisperer’ due to his ability to navigate relations with the controversial American leader, often praising Trump where others have been confrontational. This reputation was recently burnished when Rutte played a key role in averting a potential standoff between the US and Europe. Following renewed threats from Trump to annex Greenland and impose tariffs on its European backers, Rutte helped broker a ‘framework’ for a future deal on the mineral-rich Danish territory, leading to a de-escalation of tensions, as reported by NPR.

The debate over European defense spending has gained urgency, with some European leaders pledging to significantly increase their military outlays. EU lawmakers have discussed targets, including spending 3.5% of gross domestic product on core defense and a further 1.5% on security-related infrastructure, totaling 5% of GDP by 2035. However, Rutte’s remarks suggest that even with increased spending, the strategic and nuclear guarantees provided by the US remain indispensable in his view.

Arctic Security and Geopolitical Stakes

The NATO chief also acknowledged the importance of Arctic security, praising Trump for raising the issue, despite knowing it might ‘irritate many in the room,’ according to CNN. Rutte outlined ongoing efforts to address the Greenland issue, including trilateral discussions between the US, Denmark, and Greenland. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeld recently met with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, describing the meeting as ‘constructive’ despite a ‘fundamental disagreement’ persisting.

This public exchange between the head of NATO and a prominent European foreign minister underscores the deep, persistent divisions within the transatlantic alliance regarding the future of European security. While the desire for greater European strategic autonomy is growing, Rutte’s statements reflect a pragmatic, albeit controversial, recognition of the continued indispensable role of the United States, particularly its nuclear deterrence, a perspective that is likely to intensify debate as geopolitical uncertainties persist.